PC Bug!

[Nick]

There are alternatives to Micro$oft products. There is an open source browser that I use called Mozilla that is an excellent alternative. Here is their website link:

http://www.mozilla.org/

In any event, I'm assuming that you know how to set a start page (which is easy enough) on win 98. Try again, make sure you clicked ok or apply after you do so.

[sahlyn]

It sounds asthough your system may be infected with spyware/adware.

I recommend downloading and using each of these free products:

Spybot

Ad-aware

(Get both from http://www.download.com/)

Spywareblaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

Hope that helps

[Grigori]

Actually it's neither adware nor a virus it's an unscrupulus person installing a script that modifies IE and claiming it's legal because you didn't fully read and understand the "terms of service" [xx(]

Anyways to keep it "legal" they usually put a "cleaning" program on their site so you can undo the damage. Here's a place that does exactly what I mentioned http://best-search.cc/contact.html they offer a "cleaner.exe" that may work for you but I recommend looking through the site you are sent to for the specific program ... though even then I wouldn't trust them [!]

If you wish to get even ... look up the owner of the website on samspade.org then look at the advertising links on the offending page ... then send the advertizers an email message saying that you were spammed by "owner" of "offending website". The advertisers are always more than happy to withold payment to the offenders []

[sahlyn]

quote:Actually it's neither adware nor a virus it's an unscrupulus person installing a script that modifies IE

Any kind of malware (which is what you described) that implements some form of advertising (such as causing your browser homepage to keep resetting itself to display a certain site) is known as adware.

Whatever you want to call it, both spybot and ad-aware specialize in cleaning this sort of thing off your system.

I used to have the same problems before I learnt about this stuff -i.e. the homepage thing (can't remember what site it was). Also I would get bombarded with the same annoying popups no matter what site I would visit. They are all common signs that your system is infected. To cut a long story short, the programs I've mentioned here should solve the problem.

Some people prefer one of the programs over the other (Spybot vs Ad-aware), but they both have their strengths and weaknesses, and compliment each other very well to make sure your system's really clean. I recommend using both. Note: they don't substitute as virus scanners though. You still need a good antivirus program. A specialized antitrojan scanner would also be a wise investment.

Spywareblaster is not a scanner like the others, but instead acts as a shield to keep the junk off your comp to begin with.

Peace

[jc84corvette]

Nick I did that ofcourse I did.

I had adaware and ran it and updated the files and no luch. I tried the cleaner.exe and didn't work.

Im using Mozilla and I don't like it. Its just like Netscape!

[Nick]

Hi JC,

Sorry things aren't working out. About Mozilla, it originated from Netscape and a few years ago became "open source" so that now there are new things with each release. It is no longer Netscape.

Try going to the top of the browser where it says "View" and opening the drop down menu. Then, scroll down to where it says "Apply Theme". As you hold your cursor over that, a side panel will pop out (to the right) which will say "Get New Themes". Click on that. You'll be taken to a web page with a whole lot of new themes to try out.

Download "Skypilot Classic" and both the "Orbit" themes. Check them out by way of preview. There are some you should like. You may want to give Mozilla a chance. If you really don't like it, then change back I guess. Good luck.

[Nick]

Ok, here's the direct link to the themes page:

http://themes.mozdev.org/

Once you go to that page scroll down the page until you find the link for say, Skypilot Classic on the right side. Once you find the link, click it.

After the new page loads, you will see a sample of the Skypilot Classic theme and, a bit further down the page, a link that says Install It!. Click that link.

A dialog box will appear to confirm that you want to install and use the theme in question. Click the OK button, which will then bring up a window showing the progress of your downloan and installation.

After the download is complete, the word success will replace the progress bar. Click OK to close the window.

Now, select your new theme by going back to the Mozilla View menu and selecting Apply Themes> Skypilot Classic. Quit Mozilla and then run it again, and you should see the new theme.

You can, of course, download and install other themes in the same manner. Just be sure to download versions that are appropriate for your browser. You can find out what version of Mozilla you are running by going to the Help menu in Mozilla and selecting About Mozilla.

[jc84corvette]

Thank you Nick! I love the new themes! It makes it much more better for browsing. This is an advanced version of Netscape, I can tell because some annoying thing are gone.

Im using it now BTW.


Oh yeah one question, how do I keep the next down at 90% all the time? When I Restart Mozilla it goes 100% right away.
THANKS![]

[jc84corvette]

Yeah another question. When I use these forums, theres a big space between header image and this typing area. How do I fix it?

I just downloaded shockwave and ran the .exe installer, what do I do to install it to Mozilla? Any options I gotta play with?

[Nick]

Hi JC,

The plugin shockwave and other plugin help can be found at this page:

http://plugindoc.mozdev.org/

As for the big space that is something that appears on my computer at work but not at home. At home I am running linux and Mozilla 1.4 and at work windows and Mozilla 1.6 It only happens on my work computer with version 1.6 and only at The Astral Pulse site. I have yet to figure out why that is, however when I do I'll let you know the fix.

Finally, Mozilla seems to reset itself to 100% everytime the browser reopens. Sometimes I like it at 90% and other times at 120% and it stays that way unless I close and restart the browser, in which case it reverts to 100%. I have just lived with it, however I'll also let you know about this if I come up with a fix.

[jc84corvette]

Alright, Cool thanks.

[Mack]

You could of just re-installed your IE Explorer then ran Windows Update, of course IE Explorer is more susceptible to alot of adware/viruses out there and with each new fix microsoft comes out with a new bug is found and exploited [!]  You should just stick with Netscape Navigator unless the program begins to annoy you but its almost adware-free and it has its own special little pop-up blocker built into it []

[jc84corvette]

Im happy with Mozilla.

[sahlyn]

It doesn't surprise me that ad-aware failed to fix the problem. Back when I had similar problems, I ran ad-aware first, and it didn't help at all. I later ran spybot, and it fixed everything straight away. Other times I've noticed that ad-aware detects things spybot doesn't. As I said earlier, it really is best to use both programs.

It's good to hear that you found a way around your problem, however I still think it would be worth your while giving spybot a go. Not just for the problem you posted about, but also because Microsoft Windows contains spyware by default (even right after a fresh install) which you will find and be able to delete with spybot.

I always make sure that I do this right after reinstalling and updating my OS,  however it's understandable if your not paranoid like me[]

[Nagual]

Now, AOL/Netscape uses Mozilla as a base, while adding a few good and bad stuff (like dictionary and spam).

About going back to 100% at each startup, maybe try to set the size you like and go into settings and change something so that it saves... Might work.  Otherwise:  You can try to enter "about:config"...

For the paranoiacs like me, be sure to:

Privacy & Security / Cookies :
 Enable cookies for the originating website only
 Limit maximum lifetime of cookies to : current session

Privacy & Security / Popup Windows :
 Block unrequested popup windows

Advanced / Scripts & Plug-Ins :
 Uncheck javascript for mail
 Allow scripts to Change images ONLY



And nice pluggins are:
 http://prefbar.mozdev.org/
 http://adblock.mozdev.org/

[Nick]

Hi JC,

There is a support forum over at Mozilla where you can post on issues. Here is a link to a question and answer on the text size issue:

http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?t=38337

Also, that issue on the wide space here at the Astral Pulse between the top heading of the page and the actualstart of the forum is still something I'm looking into. Since it only happens on my work computer with Mozilla 1.6 and not on my home computer with version 1.4.1 then I assume it's a version 1.6 and not any other issue. Interestingly, it only seems to happen here at the Astral Pulse.  

In any event, here's the link to the forum in case you want to post on it:

http://forums.mozillazine.org/

[jc84corvette]

Thanks Nick!

I did spybot and it didn't debug.

O well, im happy with mozilla.

[Nick]

Hi jc,

That's cool. [8D]  Mozilla is a great alternative to that other browser. I'm glad you like it!

[jc84corvette]

When ever I start IE, I get a star up page thingy to a nmsearch.biz *I think thats the site*.

I went into IE options and set it to about blank and it does it again! I even set it to a desired homepage and it done nothing!

I have Win 98 using I.E 6, latest ver. What do I dO?